"Turning Visions Into Reality"

Welcome!

Welcome to the DJS Events blog, where we examine the hottest trends in the event industry and keep you up to date on our latest affairs. Please check out our website for full portfolio and client lists.

Dawn Strain, President of DJS Events was on Valerie Smaldone's "Valerie's New York" Radio Show AGAIN this past week, talking about how to have a successful and fantastic New Years! Click to listen here!

Top 3 Tips For Having a Fabulous New Years:

1.) Keep it Simple: Like we said about Christmas parties, keeping it simple will make your life easier and give you more time to enjoy the party. In fact, we suggest going out for New Year's rather than having your own party. Why? Many businesses have incredible deals for New Years, with all inclusive drinks, food and overnight stays.

2.) Make it Themed: But what if you really, truly, WANT to have a party? Having a theme keeps a focal point for organizing decor, invites, food and attire.

3.) Have It Out: Unless you have an enormous house or apartment where everyone will crash after the party, it's best to plan your party at a local restaurant or bar inside of a hotel. DJS Events is doing a gorgeous, fun, accessible weekend away party at the Indigo Hotel. Check it out here!

Dawn Strain, the president of DJS Events was on Valerie Smaldone's "Valerie's New York" Radio Show this past week, talking about how to have a successful and fantastic holiday party! Click to listen here!

Would you rather read than listen? Here are some of the gems from the interview:

TOP FIVE TIPS for a successful holiday party:

1. Create a wonderful and comfortable atmosphere for your guests by introducing them to one another and giving them leeway for conversation. Example: "Jon, this is Linda. Linda works in publishing. Linda, Jon writes articles on golf in his free time."

2. Don't worry about physical invites too much- as long as your digital invites are clear and straightforward you're good to go. It's always nice to have pretty "real" invites that match the theme of your party, but if that's not an option, don't sweat it.

3. Keep it simple with space: try to move furniture around or put extra stuff in storage or your garage. If that's not an option, a good tip is that you don't need to put all the food out at once. First put the colds out, then the hots.

4. Best Nibbles: Cheese and Guacamole look funky after just a little while. Try humus and pitas or Dawn's favorite recipe: Asparagus wrapped in crescent rolls sprinkled with parmasean cheese. Also, getting a food warmer (at any Walmart or Target) will greatly help keep things fresh.

5. You don't need to stock the bar with every possible drink out there- you can have a few different types of wine and two signature drinks- they can even both be Vodka based; Dawn suggests one a little sweeter and one a little sassier and stronger. People are just going to be happy to have a drink, period!

DJS's White Gold PartyValerie is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on air position in the New York radio market. She has hosted, produced and created numerous nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with top recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, and Mariah Carey, among others.

There's nothing like going home to a warm house that smells, looks and feels like the holidays. Whether your hosting this year's celebrations or helping with decor, let these decoration recipes fill your home with the most festive of feelings!

Martha Stewart's Cookie Cottages are made from graham crackers and are faster and easier than traditional gingerbread houses. You could decorate the front foyer or various surface areas of the house with a whole village!

On the right is a beautiful display piece called Winter White blossoms and fruit, from Michael's.

Acquaintance: Someone you know and perhaps like, but not to a point of being able to call them a friend. You may have met them once or a handful of times, and it's likely that you have mutual friends. It's also possible that you work with this person but have not established a rapport just yet.
When you're in networking, you tend to have many, many acquaintances. If you're anything like us, you'll probably spread the Christmas cheer and buy a little something for most everyone you know. The way we usually go about it is to be generally perceptive. Pay attention: what does that person wear? What do they talk about, drink, eat? What industry do they work in? Then go from there.

For example, if Linda, the woman you met at a fundraiser luncheon who works with your niece and has since recommended your business to 2 people (because she's a nice person and a good networker) is going to be at the next Christmas party you attend, you most likely want to get her something. This is what you've noticed about Linda: She seems fond of the color green, she can't stand seafood and she showed you a photo of her poodle, "Flops," on her Blackberry the last time you saw her. What would be best to get Linda? Maybe an emerald green leash and collar from a boutique pet store or even a gift certificate.
It's all about noticing the details.
However, if you're not a details person then you'll need a Go To List. Let's get going, because Christmas is right around the corner! Click on the link for details/to buy.

1.) A Coffee Table Book: Vanity Fair for those who love iconic people, New York for an enthusiast.

2.)A classy portfolio. Everyone needs one at some point in their life, even for the stay at home mom who goes to PTA meetings. From the Freshman in college to the Corporate Exec, you can't go wrong.
For the Freshman... To the corporate exec...
If you don't wish to spend over a hundred, there are many other portfolios over here.

3.) A pair of durable, middle to high end ear buds. Everyone uses them and most people don't bother to buy a nice brand. The ones featured are water proof.4.) A "brew and go" commuter mug or a water bottle with it's own filter: because everyone can use one or the other and nobody ever splurges on the specialty versions.
Your best bet: CamelBack or Bodum

5.) Personalized Notecards: Or not personalized. Everyone can use a set of blank notecards. Our favorites are from Papyrus.

Interested in hiring an planner to take care of the details, the big ideas or the creativity of your most important day? DJS Events is Long Island's hottest event planning service. Don't settle for less!